Quirts

[Cuzzin Jack]

Hey ya'll: I haven't seen any quirts (outside of indian ones) in any pictures taken north of Texas or maybe Arizona. Were they mostly confined to southwestern areas?                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Cuzzin Jack

[St. George]

Seems to me, that I did an article about Quirts and their use - but I don't remember if it was for CAS City.

In general - use of the Quirt had heavy Mexican influence, as did much of the trappings of the American Cowboy.

He adopted much of the gear that originated with the Vaqueros - and you saw it being used in the Southwest.

Up North - slightly different gear was more prevalent, and they don't seem to show in period photos.

Many highly-decorative quirts came out of the different prison systems and were inmate-made.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Cuzzin Jack]

Thanks St. George. Any idea why so many were loaded?

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[St. George]

To give them a bit of 'force' when used.

Like the difference between a 'spring-loaded cosh' and a modern slapjack - the additional weight of shot would add 'emphasis' when really needed - but like anything - the user had to control it.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Cuzzin Jack]

I wondered about rhat. I had a "horse trainer" tell me once that it was for negative reinforcement on a habitually rearing horse!                                                                                                                                                                                              Cuzzin Jack

[Deadeye Don]

I wondered about rhat. I had a "horse trainer" tell me once that it was for negative reinforcement on a habitually rearing horse!                                                                                                                                                                                              Cuzzin Jack

The correct term would actually be PUNISHMENT  and not negative reinforcement.

[Cuzzin Jack]

I agree.                                                                                                                                                                                                Cuzzin Jack

[litl rooster]

I wondered about rhat. I had a "horse trainer" tell me once that it was for negative reinforcement on a habitually rearing horse!                                                                                                                                                                                              Cuzzin Jack

    I think i know him   LOL................


 From the years I lived in the Northwestern States I seen plenty of them in collections, Many more made at Deer Lodge and other peanal insitutes,  I own 'em because of the ornate art involved in them.   I had seen many wanna bes carrying them.  You know English riders carry bats or crops, they have done so for hundreds of years.  Makes me wonder if the Vaqueros didn't copy this from them. Using materials readly available, rawhide or horsehair. They also produced Romel reins which incorporated the Quirt in the reins.

  If you look the art of Russell and Remington you will find evidence of the Quirt in use